A learned and very useful commentary on the whole epistle to the Hebrews wherein every word and particle in the original is explained ... : being the substance of thirty years Wednesdayes lectures at Black-fryers, London / by that holy and learned divine Wiliam Gouge ... : before which is prefixed a narrative of his life and death : whereunto is added two alphabeticall tables ...

§. 41. Of the world to come.

THe word translated a 1.1 world, properly signifieth a place inhabited. For it is de∣rived from b 1.2 a Nown that signifieth an house or habitation: and from a c 1.3 Verb that signifieth to dwell or inhabit: it is another word then that which was used, chap. 1. v. 2. and translated d 1.4 worlds. For that word hath reference to the time wherein all things were made and continue. (See chap. 1. §. 18.) but this hath re∣ference to the place wherein men dwel. It is the same word that is used chap. 1. §. 66. But it is here used in another sense. There it was put for the earth, but here it is metonymically put for inhabitants, not in earth only, but in heaven also. And in reference to earth, by a Synecdoche, the better part of inhabitants thereon, are meant, namely Saints, Psal. 37. 11. Matth. 5. 5. In this sense another word tran∣slated e 1.5 world is also used, 2 Cor. 5. 19.

The world then in this place, is put for the Church, which compriseth under it the whole number of Gods Elect, called or to be called. In this sense it is also cal∣led the Kingdom of God (Matth. 6. 33.) The Kingdom of his Son, (Col. 1. 13.) The Kingdom of heaven, Matth. 3. 3.

That this word, world, is in this place so used, is evident by this epethete, to come, added thereto. For this world is to be considered, either in the inchoation and pro∣gress thereof: or in the consummation and perfection of it.

In the former respect it is stiled, the world f 1.6 to come, in reference to the Saints that lived before Christ was exhibited in the flesh, and longed to see this world, Matth. 13. 17. Iohn 8. 56. 1 Pet. 1. 10, 11. Thus Iohn the Baptist, after he was born and exercised his ministry, is said to be Elias to come, (Matth. 11. 14.) in reference to a former Prophesie, Mal. 4. 5.

In the •…•…atter respect, this world is said to come, in reference to such Saints as have grace begun in them, but cannot have it perfected till this life be ended. So as in regard of the perfection, both of particular members, and also of the whole my∣sticall body, this world, even now since Christ exhibited, is truly said to come. Thus is this title, to come, oft used, as Matth. 12. 32. Eph. 1. 21.

In like respects all things under the Gospel are said to become * 1.7 new, 2 Cor. 5. 17.

Notes

• a 1.1

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• b 1.2

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• c 1.3

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• d 1.4

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• e 1.5

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉.
• f 1.6

  〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉〈 in non-Latin alphabet 〉:
• * 1.7

  Of the things under the Gospel called new, see my Sermon on Ezek. 36. 11. Entituled, The Progresse of Gods Provi∣dence.